2025 Ohio Poetry Day Contests

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Ohio Poet of the Year, 2025 - Nomination Guidelines

Ohio Poet of the Year, 2025 - Nomination Guidelines

· Poets are invited to self-nominate by submitting their books, along with their complete contact information (mailing address, phone number, and email) and a bio (50-100 words).

· Books may also be nominated by others, such as a publisher, editor, poet colleague or poetry group.

· There is no form to fill out, no fee, and no letter of recommendation is necessary.

· The poet must be a native or a resident of Ohio or, if neither, must have previously lived in Ohio and established close ties to the state.

· The poet must submit two copies of the book. Books will not be returned. Book length: at least 48 pages of poetry. (No chapbooks.) Illustrations and photographs are not included in the page count. The page count does include: front matter and title pages.

o Nominated books may be from a commercial, university, small or hybrid press, but vanity books and self-published books will not be considered.

o They may have received previous awards or honors.

o They must have been published between July 1, 2023 and May 1, 2025.

o They must be the work of one poet, not part of an edited anthology including various poets.

o No translations.

· Poets who have previously entered the contest but did not win, may submit a different book.

· No one will be chosen a second time as Poet of the Year.

· Nominated books must be received on or before May 15, 2025.

· Prize Money: $200.00 and a plaque. The winner will be invited to speak at the OPDA luncheon and a poem from the poet’s winning entry will be the lead-off poem OPDA’s The Best of 2025 book.

· Results will be announced approximately 6 weeks following the submission deadline, or around July 1, 2025.

· Mail two copies of the book plus the additional requested information to:

Ohio Poet of the Year Contest
ATTN: Joanne Greenway, Contest Chair
810 Matson Pl., Unit 1602
Cincinnati, OH 45204

Questions? Contact Joanne Greenway, jgreenway978@gmail.com